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A monkey presents the ball to a referee prior to a match in Japan’s J-League (Twitter)

The J-League has been urged to cease using animals in matchday stunts by an animal rights group after a monkey took part in the build-up to a game at the weekend.

A macaque monkey took centre-stage prior to Cerezo Osaka’s game with Vissel Kobe at the Kincho Stadium in Japan. The animal, which was being held on a leash around its neck, was dressed in a miniature football kit.

It performed some tricks with the ball before picking it up and presenting it to the referee.

Walking upright on two legs, the monkey was then led down the tunnel by its handler before the match began.

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Elisa Allen, director of animal rights group PETA, told Metro.co.uk: ‘This stunt defies the very spirit of football – a fair game between willing participants. For the monkey, who’s being used as a living prop, it’s no game.

‘Usually in such cases, animals are under the threat of violence with an electric shock prod, and often, their teeth are removed. Monkeys forced to perform at events are usually taken away from their mothers shortly after birth – a heart-breaking trauma from which neither they nor their loving mothers ever fully recover – and are deprived of everything that’s natural and important to them. To get them to perform silly tricks, trainers break their spirits through methods involving the fear of punishment.’

The stunt took place before the J1 League game (Japan’s equivalent of the Premier League) which Osaka went on to win 3-1.

It’s hoped however that it will be the last time such a stunt is used.

‘PETA urges the J-League to call a red card on using animals for any stunts and to retire this monkey to an accredited sanctuary where he or she can enjoy some semblance of a natural life,’ said Allen.